Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
The fourth quarter of Game 6 between the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets could be played 100 more times, and the Clippers would probably be celebrating a series win after each one. In that reality, Chris Paul and company would be in the conference finals for the first time. They would have a real shot at winning a title. Instead, the unthinkable happened in Game 6, and the narratives have been reversed.
They remain the same old Clippers in most people’s minds. Chris Paul still can’t get over the hump in the playoffs. They need to revamp the roster this offseason. Blake Griffin folds in the fourth quarter. Most of these notions are silly and overreactions to the all or nothing reality of the NBA playoffs.
Paul was incredible throughout the playoffs, but that isn’t enough for some. Griffin took his game to another level, but it won’t stop some from spewing the same bad three-quarters jokes that followed LeBron James earlier in his career.
It’s best to ignore narratives that make blanket statements based on one sliver of a player’s resume. However, it’s hard to ignore the opportunity that the Clippers just missed as a whole. In most cases, team’s title windows are much shorter than they expect. Injuries happen, players move on and unless you’re Tim Duncan, father time comes knocking.
The Clippers would have been underdogs against the Golden State Warriors in the conference finals, but it wouldn’t have been shocking if they came out on top. From there they would either be playing a banged up Cleveland Cavaliers team or the Atlanta Hawks. Neither scenario would be the most daunting task in the world. Unfortunately, they are only left with what ifs and speculation.
The Clippers will remain competitive just based on the duo of Paul and Griffin, but they might have missed their best chance at winning a title. The Western Conference will once again be a monster next season. Golden State isn’t going anywhere, and the Oklahoma City Thunder seem poised to rejoin the list of contenders next year. The Anthony Davis era is also quickly approaching which will be another roadblock.
It’s what makes this offseason so important. They can’t be complacent. How they handle DeAndre Jordan‘s free agency will be fascinating. They have to decide whether or not this core of players can form a great team rather than a very good team. It’s clear that they need more depth, but will a couple of bench players be enough to put them over the top? Doc Rivers will have one more chance to add something positive to his otherwise blemish-filled resume as a GM.
It’s not quite the end for this team, but it is certainly a fork in the road moment that will decide if they remain the same old Clippers.
